Today Jack White hit us all hard enough to leave us black ‘n’ blue with double vision as he unleashed the brand new Dori Oskowitz-directed video for “I’m Shakin‘”. Jack’s cover of Little Willie John‘s classic “I’m Shakin'” is the fourth single from his universally acclaimed debut album Blunderbuss (Third Man/Columbia). Read more...

There are some people who exist on a completely different level than the rest of the world. They possess such incredible talent and their creations are so complex, with every detail tuned to perfection. After seeing Jack White play the WaMu Theater in Seattle on August 14, I am convinced that he is one of these people. Read more...

Introduction
Another year has ended; another list has been compiled. Often I get this feeling that in 100 years, all that will remain of today’s pop culture will be a number of well-thought-out lists. While many critics are driven to paroxysms at the thought of another year-end list, the fact is that they are essential to annual retrospective analysis. There is a feeling of security and consistency in ‘Best Of’ lists; inasmuch as one can feel safe in the presence of a numerically-ordered selection of things. But in truth, the rapid acceleration of technology and the advent of social media has completely changed the way humans organize their internal thoughts. We no longer think in prose, or even full sentences; we think in lists. Read more...

Last week we met up with Katherine Blamire and Jessica Davies of Smoke Fairies, a folk and blues duo from a small town in southeast England. Their powerful, imagery-laden music is laced with dark, eerie, and melancholic undertones that are so ethereal and mysterious that they almost allure the listener, drawing you in and leave you wanting more. We sat down for a chat in front The Key Club on Sunset Boulevard before their show, opening for Rasputina, and discussed topics such as what led them to music, how they came up with their band name, and their new album, Through Low Light and Trees.Read more...

First is Live in Mississippi, a recording of the White Stripes’ final live concert from July 31st, 2007 in Southaven, Mississippi. Presented in crystalline audio quality and spread across 2 LP’s pressed on 180-gram vinyl, this recording is (arguably) the band at the top of their game. With the local geography looming large on their minds, the set list is decidedly heavy on the blues and features covers of songs by Robert Johnson, Son House and Leadbelly. The rest of the set includes songs from all six of the White Stripes’ studio albums and the show is offered in its entirety. Read more...